A FORMER mayor of Colchester has reminisced on King Charles’ visit to the city and has looked ahead to his new role as monarch.
Following the death of the Queen, the former Prince of Wales has now become King Charles III.
He is the oldest person to ever ascend to the throne at 73, taking over the role of monarch immediately.
Like his mother, King Charles visited Colchester, coming to the then-town multiple times over the years.
One of which was in 2014, to Essex University for its Big Bang Fair.
His Royal Highness stopped to speak to the crowds as he walked to the event with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster and Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant, Lord Petre, after arriving by helicopter.
On the day outside the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall, King Charles was presented to a number of dignitaries including the former Colchester mayor John Elliott.
Mr Elliott said: “I didn’t get much of a chance to meet and interact with him, but he was very lovely.
“He certainly joined in with plenty of things to do on the day.”
The king, who is a known lover of architecture, also made headlines for his somewhat damning criticism of the university's new modernist Ivor Crew Lecture Theatre which the then-prince described as looking like a dustbin.
King Charles is also Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment and has made frequent visits to Colchester Garrison. 
He has presented tour of duty medals to soldiers including those who returned from Afghanistan.
Last summer, he cast a careful eye over Colchester’s parachute regiment during a “momentous and historic” visit to Merville Barracks.
The King presented the Army’s world-renowned airborne battalions with new colours - military ceremonial flags.
Now, he is set to become King Charles III following the death of Elizabeth on Thursday.
Mr Elliott added: “He has got a hell of a job on his hands to follow her, I think anyone would.
“But he will absolutely try, and I am very hopeful for him in the future.
“He deserves the position, he was always loyal to his mother and supported her in absolutely everything.”
“To start something like this at his age is a shame, but I am sure he will make a very fine King.”
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